HC Deb 28 February 1978 vol 945 cc218-20
5. Mr. Gow

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the operation of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Acts, so far as the closed shop is concerned.

Mr. Harold Walker

I have received several, but detailed analysis of these representations could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Gow

Does the hon. Gentleman think it fair and right that British Rail should have dismissed without compensation 40 of its employees who refused to join a trade union and two more of its employees who withdrew from a trade union in consequence of the provisions of the Acts?

Mr. Walker

I have explained to the hon. Gentleman and the House repeatedly that it is not for the Government to say what the terms of the union membership agreement should be. These are entirely within the collective bargaining process and are determined between the employer and union. However, I have pleaded on several occasions for those who enter into union membership agreements to apply them in a reasonable and tolerable way, and I hope that that is the practice that is followed.

Mr. Ioan Evans

Does my hon. Friend realise that when we meet our constituents in our surgeries we find that the worst type of problem is that of those workers who do not join unions and then face a legal action the costs of which they are unable to meet? Will my hon. Friend and his colleagues do all they can to encourage all workers to join the appropriate trade union?

Mr. Walker

I give my hon. Friend the promise that I shall do that, and have been trying to. One area of common ground between both sides of the House in industrial relations is the desire to see the growth of collective bargaining, which I believe should be based on strong trade unions.

Mr. Hayhoe

As the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Amendment) Act places a duty on the Government in terms of a Press charter, will the Minister ensure that the draft Press charter brought before the House contains a provision making clear that journalists must have some exclusion from the operation of the closed shop?

Mr. Walker

Among the obligations placed on my right hon. Friend and myself in preparing the charter is to take fully into account the Act from which it stems and its provisions in relation to the establishment of union membership agreements.